Truck for moving heavy bodies



(No Model.)

' J. WILHELM.

TRUCK FOR MOVING HEAVY BODIES.

No. 579,286. Patented Mar. 23, 1897 was llivrrun stares .Parnwr @rrrca JOIIN IVILIIELM, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR TO ALBERT MAURER, OF GREAT FALLS, MONTANA.

TRUCK FOR MQVlNC-l HEAVY BODIES SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 579,286, dated March. 23, 1897. Application filed August 28, 1896. Serial No. 604,219. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that 1, JOHN VVILHELM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Dre gen, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Moving Heavy Bodies; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I

This invention relates to improvements in a device for moving heavy bodies and a braking mechanism used in connection therewith.

I5 An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device which may be cheaply manufactured, easily put together or taken apart, and which will be effective in operation and easily manipulated.

For a full and complete understanding of my invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein corresponding letters indicate like parts in the several views, and in which-- z 5 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device complete and ready for operation. Fig. 2 is a plan view, taken from the under side, of the platform upon which articles to be moved are placed, showing a semispherical socket contrally located in the under side of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar View of a lower platform having a semispherical socket centrally of the same and a small opening from said socket through the lower surface of the platform.

3 5 Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the brake mechanism and brake-handle. Fig. 5 is a View of a washer used in connection with the opening through the lower side of the lower platform to insure a slow action of the device.

0 In the drawings, A refers to a spherical body or ball, made of suitable material to withstand heavy weights and usage, having an oilhole a therein.

B- is an upper rectangular platform having i 5 a semispherical'socket B in its lower surface,

centrally of the same. In this cavity orsoeket B the ball A loosely fits and is readily inserted.

O is a similar-shaped lower platform, which ;0 is secured to the upper platform by means of screws 0, passing upwardly through the corners of the lower platform and into the lower surface of the upper platform. If preferred, bolts or other suitable securing devices may be used to secure the two platforms together.

C is a semispherical socket centrally located in the upper surface of the lower platform and corresponding to the socket in the upper one, and there is a small opening 0 from this latter socket through the lower sur- 6o face of the lower platform, as shown, in order that when the ball is secured in the sockets in the platforms, as above described, it will protrude slightly through this opening 0 for contact with the surface along which the die vice is to be moved with its load.

011 corresponding sides of the sockets B and O are out-away portions E and E, form ing a semispherical or rounding cavity F, and leading from this cavity so formed are two corresponding grooves in the lower surface of the upper platform and the upper surface of the lower platform, which together form a guideway from this cavity to an outer edge of the device, in which slides a handle-barf, having upon its inner end a brake F of corresponding shape to the cavity in which it fits, its inner surface being rounded or hollowed out to correspond with the surface of the sockets before described.

The outer end of the handle f extends a short distance outward from the edge of the device and has a rack-bar 9 formed upon its upper surface. Above this handle-bar is a pawl g, pivoted to the edge of the upper plat- 8 5 form for engagement with said rack to hold the handle-bar in any desired position when the brake is used.

D is a washer, made out of leather, rubber, or other suitable material, which may be used, 0 when desired, to insure certain and slow action of the ball-bearing surface. This washer has a downward-projecting lip d, which passes through the opening in the bottom of the lower platform and which tends to retain the 5 washer, when used, in position and prevent the same from moving around with the ball.

In moving heavy bodies upon my platform I find that it is essential oftentimes to lock the device securely in position to prevent the :00 same from moving and thus causing aceidents and inconvenience. This is readily accomplished in my improved device by simply pushing the handle-bar f inwardly to bring the braking-surface of the brake F in contact with the ball and by locking the same in this position by means of the rack-bar and pawl before described. I prefer to have the contact-surface F of the brake slightly roughened, as shown, to insure a firm hold and prevent slipping of the same upon the ball.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device for moving heavy bodies, the combination of two platforms, a socket in the under side of the upper platform, a corresponding socket in the upper surface of the lower platform, a ball fitting in said sockets, an opening through the lower platform from the socket therein, a brake to lock said ball from moving, and means to secure said platforms together, substantially as described and set forth.

2. The combination in a device for moving heavy bodies, of two platforms, a semispherical socket in the under side of the upper platform, a corresponding socket in the upper surface of the lower platform, a circular opening through the lower surface of the lower platform from the bottom of the socket therein, a cavity adjacent to said sockets, a brake in said cavity, a handle-bar extending from said brake to an edge of the device, a rackbar on the outer end of said handle, and a pawl to engage said rack to lock the brake in position, and means to secure said platforms together, as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN WILHELM.

WVitnesses:

V. K. Srnonn, OGLESBY YOUNG. 

